Jarrad Lawford, assisted by newly appointed Staff member Mason, came along this week to tell us all about Recfishwest (RW), an independent not for profit organisation that exists to promote accessible, sustainable, enjoyable and safe recreational fishing in WA. In our State recreational fishers make up only 10% of the total catch (the rest being commercial fishers), but nevertheless the stock of fish in this category needs to be managed carefully and consistently. RW has been conducting clinics for 26 years, and these introduce families and children to fishing – much of the time on a catch, photograph, then release principle. RW’s Community Grants programme provides funding for fishing projects and over the years these have amounted to nearly $3 billion and created about 10,000 full time jobs. The creation of artificial reefs, funded by recreational fishing licence money, is a huge plus for nurturing fish stocks, and in Exmouth a barren area of ocean has been changed into a diverse fish farm using pieces of metal from old oil rigs plus some custom moulded concrete shapes. Another one has been created 7 km off Pelican Point near Carnarvon, and this has resulted in 90,000 sq m of reef! Other challenges for RW are sharks (if you see one, move!), and marine parks which are designed to give protection for fish – but they must be located in the right place!